“Of course I did.” He waves at the SUV and opens the door. “Let’s get you out of here.”
I expect him to turn onto the Thruway and head north toward Empire, but he takes the back roads leading into the outskirts of Empire County instead. I watch the scenery in amazement.
So much has changed.
“What the fuck is that?” I press my finger against the cool glass and stare at an alien, futuristic field of black, shiny panels three or four feet off the ground.
“Community solar farm.”
“A what?”
The quick explanation he rattles off flies over my head. Information overload.
“Where you headed?” I ask.
“Our main clubhouse. You’ve never even seen the place.”
Shit, that’s right. When I went inside, our clubhouse was a sorry little building next to the strip club the MC owned.
“Jeez, figured you’d at least take me to Crystal Ball first,” I mutter.
He chuckles and glances over. “We can arrange something.”
The last damn thing I need is a parade of strippers begging to bounce around in my lap. “I don’t suppose you managed to track down Rose and let her know I was getting out?” I fail miserably at pushing the hope out of my voice and sounding casual.
The smile slides off his face. “I called. She hasn’t responded.”
“Figured.” While time’s pretty much stood still for me, I’m sure Rosie’s moved on and forgotten all about her inmate ex.
Back in the day, when a brother was released from prison, the club held a big party, complete with plenty of sweet butts, club girls, and strippers to “tend” to him as the first get-out-of-jail fuck.
But I can’t muster up any interest.
Not until I see Rosie.
No matter how much I’ve suffered over the years, the small spark of hope that there’s still a chance for us has refused to be snuffed out.
“Tell me what you’ve been up to?” I ask to calm my rising anxiety. “Z said you got married. This the girl you told me about?”
“Yes.” His smile returns. “Hope and I have a baby girl now too.”
That hits me right in the gut with joy for my brother and regret for myself.
“What’d you name her?” I ask, even though I bet I know the answer.
“Grace.”
After his mother. “Beautiful.”
“She is. Hope’s waiting at the clubhouse. She’s looking forward to finally meeting you.”
“Really?” I’m surprised he bothered to mention me to his wife. How involved with the club does he allow her to be? I told him to find someone who’d love the club, not learn its secrets.
“Just the club and family are there now. Later…”
“I can fuck as many bunnies as my dick will stay up for?” I sneer.
He snorts and shakes his head. “Whatever you want. Murphy’s got your bike set up for you if you wanna risk going for a ride.”
I flex my fingers, imagining smooth leather gloves surrounding my hands, legs hugging the machine, the blur of the pavement under my feet, battling the wind to stay in my saddle. The essence of freedom.
I roll my right shoulder. The ache shoots through my bicep to my wrist. Can I even ride?
“Roads aren’t great.” I gesture toward the slushy asphalt we’re speeding through.
“There’ll be plenty of time.”
Time, right. I want to make the most of it now that I’m free.
“Wrath’s wife there too?” I ask. “I still can’t believe he tricked some poor girl into marrying him.”
Rock’s laughter fills the cabin. “No trickery. Trinity’s a good girl. She’s good for him.”
Trinity, huh? Is that a road name or her real name? “Yeah, but is he good for her?”
“They’re right for each other,” he answers with confidence.
Well, shit. Good for Wrath. Always worried the angry fucker would end up in a cell next to me.
“I don’t think I can deal with Murphy married to Heidi. She’s still about five years old in my head.”
“Teller learned to live with it. You will too.”
Teller, shit—I’ve missed that mouthy little fucker. He hasn’t been out to visit as regularly as he used to. “He’s claimed an ol’ lady too?”
This time, Rock’s slower to answer. “Charlotte’s exactly what he needs.”
“She can put up with that mouth of his?”
“She handles him fine.”
“I’m having trouble believing Z settled down with one girl.” Z mentioned he had a wife and son last time he visited. Never thought I’d see the day.
“You’ll like Lilly.”
“Last time Dex came out to see me, he said Rooster’s been out on the road following his girl around.” Although he wasn’t even patched-in to the club when I went inside, Rooster’s a loyal brother who’s visited me more than once. “Looking forward to meeting him on this side of the fence.”
“He’s solid. He really helped Z transition to running Downstate. He and Shelby should be here tomorrow.”
Fifteen years and it seems as if all my brothers have settled down.
Fifteen years and everything has changed.